Willacy County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Willacy County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Willacy County.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
Mandatory Appearances in Willacy County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Willacy County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Where will Willacy County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Willacy County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Willacy County.
Right to an attorney
The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Willacy County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.
Jury Deliberations in Willacy County
In Willacy County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
What happens in Willacy County at an arraignment?
In Willacy County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Sentencing in Willacy County
In Willacy County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
I need help for my Willacy County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Willacy County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Willacy County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Willacy County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Willacy County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Willacy County. The Willacy County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Willacy County Criminal Court Locations
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Willacy County 197th District Court
Address: 546 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-2532 Fax: 956-689-5713 -
Willacy County Constitutional Court
Address: 576 W Main St, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-2710 Fax: 956-689-9849 -
Willacy County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 1
Address: 494 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-3381 Fax: 956-689-5341 -
Willacy County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 2
Address: 494 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-3381 Fax: 956-689-5341 -
Willacy County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 3
Address: 494 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-3381 Fax: 956-689-5341 -
Willacy County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 4
Address: 494 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-3381 Fax: 956-689-5341 -
Willacy County Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 5
Address: 494 W Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-3381 Fax: 956-689-5341 -
Lyford Municipal Court
Address: PO Box 310, Lyford TX 78569
Phone: 956-347-3512 -
Raymondville Municipal Court
Address: 142 S 7th St, 2nd Fl, Raymondville TX 78580
Phone: 956-689-6449 Fax: 956-689-0982